Tashi Delek

Tashi, Tashi, Tashi ... you can hear Tibetans say this often as they welcome you into a business or home. Tashi Delek means "blessings", "hello", "good luck", "may good things come to you".

I was traveling through Tibet one summer, after an arduous 6 hour drive through a rocky wilderness I arrived at a small medieval town, full of street vendors and mule carts. My guide took me to a cafe where we could refresh and chill out a bit before hitting the road again. As we enter the cafe I hear a familiar voice, a gentle beat and a soulful high pitched wailing ... could it be? It was Bob Marley, here I am in the middle of a Himalayan plateau and not only is his music being played but a gigantic portrait of Bob hung front and center in this cafe. The interior was decorated with traditional Buddhist murals as well as Rastafari colors.

My guide introduced me to owner, who was a in his mid-twenties, he greeted me cupping both hands around mine, repeating the words "tashi, tashi, tashi". As we talked more, I could catch the occasional "irie, irie" slipped into his speech. My new buddy explained that it illegal for Tibetans to display the portrait of the Dalai Lama [the possession of his picture could land you in jail], instead many young Tibetans found a proxy symbol in Bob Marley. You can find his picture displayed in many cafes, as well as the rasta colors on phone straps and t-shirts. It was truly amazing to see Bob's legend carried on in this remote region of the world.

Bob Marley is a symbol of hope, freedom and liberation. He transcends time, race and geography; his soulful voice reaches down deep into the soul and inspires one to STAND UP.

Happy Birthday Bob.